







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Umm, you can tell them it's our wedding anniversary. | |
| We all love bank holidays. | |
| Okay, we have all the things we need, then. | |
| No, I won't... I don't want a house in Mayfair anymore! | |
| That's why the rent is much lower than average. | |
| Sometimes he doesn't even recognize my mum. | |
| It's in Islington, zone-1, it's the best place for me so far. | |
| Do you want the tray in the middle? | |
| Is there any other cat around? | |
| That's why you have a headache now! | |
| Look at the shelf, the price tag says £2.20 a kilo. | |
| I prefer red onions. | |
| No, it doesn't look clean, do you want me to clean it? | |
| There are some vending machines in the station. | |
| Or worse, sometimes they throw a party at home! | |
| The room is spacious and sunny and the bed looks comfortable! | |
| Yes, I think she's great! | |
| My housemates don't clean anything in the kitchen. | |
| Does the kid think he is a robot or the robot think it's a kid? | |
| Last night we were open till very late, and you know her excuse. | |